Where to place aftermarket navigation?

[dyelton]

My wife and I just traded our cars in on a 2013 Pilot EX-L (non-navi). Prior to that she had a 2008 Civic EX-L w/ navi and I had a 2006 Acura RL with navi. Our past several cars have had factory navigation built-in but when we purchased the Pilot recently we chose to avoid it. The reason being is that we both felt the navigation units from Honda (and from any car manufacturer for that matter) was lacking and after a couple of years would be severely lacking.

We still need navigation though, especially on longer road trips. We've tried using our iPhone 5's for navigation. We've tried multiple apps including Scout, Waze, Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc but they all fall short in one way or another (Google Maps is definitely our preference though, very clean interface and no fluff). The issue with using the iPhone for navigation is that we would really like to hear directions clearly which is sometimes difficult over the iPhone's built-in speaker. If we plug the iPhone in then it defaults to the iPod and won't let loose of its tight grip. We want to be able to listen to the radio (FM) and hear navigation directions.

There was one time where I was able to get Google Maps on my iPhone to play directions over Bluetooth where it cut out the FM radio to give me those directions, but I haven't been able to recreate that scenario since.

I'm looking at maybe going for a dedicated GPS unit from say Garmin. They have a new model (3597) coming out that looks nice. The problem is that I have no idea where I would set it. The dash on the 2013 Pilot doesn't seem like it contours very well for this sort of thing. I thought about placing it in front of the MID but the glass/plastic comes up at an angle so I don't think you could really put anything with height in there.

Anyone else have an aftermarket navigation unit in their 2012/2013 Pilot that could give some pointers and/or photos of their setup?

[bcicio]

Can't take a photo at the moment, but I have a Garmin (3.8" wide model) and I stick it to the lower left corner area of the windshield when I go on trips. It's low enough to not be blocking my sight and I run the power cord down the dash front, over the steering column between column and speedometer window, over the shifter, and into the power outlet. The power cord is not very intrusive at all in that configuration. The suction mount does not stick to the top of the dash at all because of the matte finish. It WILL stick to the ceiling surface of that little cubby opening under the central dash controls unit and stick out nicely - but that requires that you to take your eyes off the road to look at it, which I wouldn't advise doing. I have a 2012 EX-L.

[Steve Z]

I mounted my Magellan with a supplied stick on disc inside the top of the cubby below the heater controls. Drove from Boston to Florida and loved it there.

[scooterboy5]

Originally Posted by Steve Z

I mounted my Magellan with a supplied stick on disc inside the top of the cubby below the heater controls. Drove from Boston to Florida and loved it there.

I tried mine there but found the gear shift blocked my view of it when in Drive. I'd like to find a place that isn't on top of the dash as I find that very distracting. I like it just below the top of the dash but haven't found a good place yet.

[prettyloaded]

The gps should come with a round disc with an adhesive on the back. That will provide a smooth surface for the gps to mount to. Mine is located over the 12 volt plug so its close to the power source, out of sight for the outside and close to the fingers with reaching up. Good luck.
http://www.piloteers.org/forums/atta...mg_1812-1-.jpg

[achang001]

I use Navigon on my iPhone over bluetooth and works vary well with my 2012 EX. Can't think of a better solution than this.

[macphanatic]

I use Navigon on my iPhone 5 when traveling. I carry an iOttie to hold the phone on the windshield. At first the volume was a bit low even with the iPhone's volume set at maximum. Then I found a volume control within the app. Turned it all the way up and now have decent volume.

[Brolan]

I have a Garmin. I use the the Garmin bean-bag friction mount turned sideways in the cubby. You just need something about two inches tall to prop up the front. The cord winds up underneath. You just need to leave a little cord hanging out so the traffic receiver gets a good signal.

[drestinnuttin]

My pilot, 2013, LX I think, plays the audio from the NAV over the radio speakers when I engage the USB/Bluetooth option. With the bluetooth streaming audio enabled, I am able to play all audio from the iphone5 over the speakers. I am able to hear everything from music to alerts, Siri, and the NAV.

The truck has been a huge surprise. We purchased it strictly to go to the snow and have been surprised by the richness of the standard equipment.

[CO_PILOT]

My 2012 Honda Pilot EX 4WD now has 21,852 on the odo. Love the truck.

I bought a bean bag on eBay for $8 to use with my Garmin. Garmin suction mount attaches to a disk in the center of the bag.

Also bought a laser-cut dash mat from JC Whitney: Item VLM718300147 for 2012 Honda Pilot VelourMat $30.34.

The bag hugs the mat securely on the far left side of the windshield. GPS cord is long enough to snake clear into the 12v socket in the center console. It all works great.

Lifetime map update from Garmin means I do not have to hassle with Mother Honda for GPS updates and maintenence.

[dyelton]

Thanks for all of the responses from everyone! This weekend I figured out the issue we had with using a navigation app on our iPhones...

We want to leave the iPhones plugged in so the navigation app doesn't become a battery drain. Apparently Honda overrides everything if you have something plugged in via USB. I think the trick here (to get us what we want) is to just get a cigarette lighter outlet to USB charger and plug the phone in that way to stay charged, skipping the integrated USB jack all together.

Now my only remaining question is how to battle two bluetooth devices that have been paired with the Pilot. Is it possible to switch between bluetooth devices or is the only solution to just disabled bluetooth on the device that we're NOT using at the moment?

[goldendragon576]

I put mine right in that huge open space between the heated seats. My wife doesn't like it because you have to look down to see the screen but I usually go by the verbal directions anyway. It fell off the windshield once while driving and I caught it so I just threw it in that space and it fits perfectly and the power is right next to it so no long cables to run.

[AndrewNC]

Check out https://www.proclipusa.com/ They have 3 different mounting positions available for the '13 ex-l and their mounts require no alterations to the vehicle.

[dyelton]

Originally Posted by AndrewNC

Check out https://www.proclipusa.com/ They have 3 different mounting positions available for the '13 ex-l and their mounts require no alterations to the vehicle.

Have you seen there returns policy? I'll never ever ever do business with a company as anal as they are. Not that I would return it, but if it was junk I would have no chance. For the price of their products, it would benefit them to rethink their policies. It not only affects folks that genuinely need to return an item but also makes people like me not want to buy anything from them.

[AndrewNC]

Originally Posted by dyelton

Have you seen there returns policy? I'll never ever ever do business with a company as anal as they are. Not that I would return it, but if it was junk I would have no chance. For the price of their products, it would benefit them to rethink their policies. It not only affects folks that genuinely need to return an item but also makes people like me not want to buy anything from them.

Yes, I am familiar with their return policy. I've been happy with the mount I ordered from them, so it has been a nonissue. Shipment was very fast, as well. I don't see how you would have "no chance" of returning the item, as you can easily test the mount fitment without damaging the mount. The only time screws are involved, is when you screw the mounting plate for your device onto the car mount. These types of return policies are pretty standard in the car parts business, especially with smaller outfits. All the mounts are manufactured by Brodit in Sweden, hence the price.